"We didn't come here for diplomacy."
Ranger-General of the Sunfury Battalion, Quel'Thalas' elite special forces unit formed from the remnants of Kael'thas' Forces. Aeythyr was one of several Sunfury Generals who defected from the Mad Prince to defend Quel'thalas against Kil'jaeden.
He was a Paladin Blood Knight, served at Lordaeron during the Second War, and was one of the last defenders of the evacuation of Silvermoon.
Physical Description
Tall for an elf, with a rugged exterior that bears the weathered signs of years as a soldier. Appears late 30s by human age standards.
Personality & Character
Outwardly, maintains a level of aristocratic charm, true nature is more stoic and occasionally hints at a hard life. Equally comfortable among members of the Noble Houses, or the roughest taverns across Azeroth.
As Ranger-General of the Sunfury, Aeythyr holds no true alliance with any man-made institution, house, or order, serving only Quel'thalas and the Sin'dorei people. Under his leadership, the Sunfury have continued their reputation for ruthlessness in the interest of defending the Sin'dorei.
Philosophically, he would align with the statement Prince Kael'thas made after the third war... "I stand only for the children of the blood." He will commit whatever diplomatic or military actions are needed to ensure the absolute safety and security of the Sin'dorei people. He treats his command as a solemn obligation to his warriors and his people.
Aeythyr is a product of two subcultures of his people - the rough and tumble military family of his father, a dashing Farstrider captain, and the inquisitive and kindhearted world of academics and magic from his mother's family of magisters and priests. His personality and character were shaped by both, he gained a kind heart and an appreciation for their people's history in magic, while acclimating into the proud vigilance and stoicism that was needed to protect their people.
Gentle and somewhat melancholy after the death of his parents when he was young, he was adopted by his aunt on his father’s side and soon joined the Thalassian armed forces and was a professional soldier who saw active combat in the Second and Third Wars, working his way up as a soldier, commander, and eventually a general in Kael'thas' Sunfury forces as they were betrayed by the Alliance and departed on expedition to Outland, and eventually a defector who brought most of his battalion with him to defend Quel'thalas from a mad Kael'thas and his plan to bring Kil'jaeden through the Sunwell. The end of the civil war left him a broken soldier, and his intention was to turn himself in to Halduron Brightwing and submit himself to military discipline for the actions he committed as an unknowing pawn of Kael'thas. Halduron refused his resignation, which only further disillusioned him.
His conscience and love for his fellow soldiers was the reason that despite all the pain, he was unable to give up his military career and was easily convinced by Lady Shalanori to rebuild the Sunfury Battalion in order to give a purpose and place for their people’s disenfranchised soldiers. His view of his fellow soldiers as his family, is perhaps his most strongly held belief, and he has a highly protective nature for them.
To his friends and fellow soldiers he is a playful and sometimes smug character with a dry sense of humor, someone you’d love to hang out with and shoot the shit over a beer. His love for his people and respect for the sacrifices of military and former military means he doesn’t have many of the hang ups and internal prejudices about death knights, dark rangers, other undead elves, and even warlocks and practitioners of darker magic, so long as they are loyal to the Sin’dorei. He values results and loyalty most of all, in those who would become fellow Sunfury.
History
Born to a family of warriors; his grandfather fought in the Troll Wars, his parents were part of the first rangers that would eventually become the Farstriders.
His first military tour was stationed in Lordaeron during the Second War, where he supported the Alliance as part of a token force from Quel’thalas. He watched the birth of the Silver Hand, and trained as a Paladin under Sir Uther Lightbringer. He became particularly adept at wielding the power of the Light, given the magical proclivities of elves, and the unlimited power of the Sunwell.
Fought in the Third War, his regiment battled the scourge from the Ghostlands to Eversong. Overrun by Arthas’ advance, the regiment watched as Sylvanas fell, and lost their own commander in the charge to avenge their Ranger-General.
In the disarray, Aeythyr rallied a small group of remaining soldiers, who fought their way back to the city, and were one of the last military units defending the evacuation of Silvermoon.
After the defilement of the Sunwell, Aeythyr pledged loyalty to Prince Kael’thas and joined his Sunfury expeditionary forces, believing that a secure alliance with the humans could bring a revival of the magical power of elves and restore the Sunwell and their people. It was a dark day when the humans turned on them, when Garithos imprisoned and sentenced his Prince and his brothers to death.
Escaping with Prince Kael’s Sunfury forces, he left for Outland with the hope of a new plan, Kael’s attempt to find a new source of arcane power to sustain the elves. But there would be a second and worse betrayal when he learned that Kael had entered into a secret pact with the Burning Legion. Aeythyr deserted Kael’s forces and returned to Quel’thalas along with many of his fellow warriors, and led a regiment of Blood Knights at Magister’s Terrace.
After the final defeat and death of their Prince, Aeythyr, along with many of the Sunfury forces, struggled to reconcile their own identity. Being on the frontlines of so much conflict, betrayal at the hands of former allies, as well as having to turn against their Prince, had taken a heavy toll on them.
As Lor’themar reluctantly assumed leadership and began to rebuild the Kingdom, Aeythyr was approached by Lady Shalanori, head of House Sunshadow, and began discussions of a proposal to rebuild the Sunfury.
Accepting the offer of Lady Shalanori Sunshadow, Aeythyr took command as Ranger-General of the Sunfury Battalion, and went out to recruit the fiercest and most ruthless fighters from the former royal expeditionary forces, as well as the best and brightest members of the magistrate, the blood knights, and the farstriders, for this new Battalion.
Arsenal
Thalassian Armor
Aeythyr wears a custom set of crimson and gold Thalassian Plate, which has accents that pay homage to his studies as a Paladin, and the iconic heritage of the Sin'dorei.
Although well maintained, it has telltale signs of damage that have been carefully repaired, but not completely erased.
Alah’Zaram – "Daybreak", Blade of the Dawn
Alah'Zaram game model
A unique weapon forged by elven magic.
The sword is formed around a single light-forged mana crystal, infused with the waters of the Sunwell, that has been shaped into a rod and runs the interior length of the blade. Larger crystal orb portions are visible at the cross-guard and pommel.
Aeythyr in his crimson plate, wielding Daybreak and Belore'dris
The blade is inscribed with runes, and the entire weapon radiates arcane and holy power.
Lightkeeper (Shield - retired)
This shield was a gift from Lady Shalanori Sunshadow upon the formation of the battalion. It has since been retired by Aeythyr, placed in symbolic eternal service to guard the Sanctuary and final resting place of Lady Shalanori Sunshadow, just northwest of the ruins of Silvermoon.
Belore'dris - "Eye of the Sun" (Shield)
When Aeythyr decommissioned Lightkeeper, he sought to replace it with something more formidable. Wider and denser than a traditional Spellbreaker shield, Belore'dreis was forged from Elethium, a Shadowlands metal so hard it was capable of withstanding the fires of the Maw. The shield is adorned with an Oriblase center gem, capable of channeling the power of the Sunwell.
Fighting Philosophy
His size, military training, and combat experience have made him an absolutely brutal fighter. He favors a heavy hitting brawling form of combat and uses sudden overwhelming force to end fights as quickly as possible. Nothing is off the table, he will use anything as a weapon, and he is not above fighting dirty. As his father’s father, a seasoned veteran of the Troll Wars taught him, “Be nice, until it’s time to not be nice... once you make that decision, the only thing that matters is winning."
Trivia
- Aeythyr has a set of white Thalassian plate armor that was commissioned for him in Lordaeron during the second war. This armor has since become ceremonial for him as he considers his tour at Lordaeron to be largely a waste of effort, given how the humans betrayed the Sin'dorei during and after the Third War. He wears it almost exclusively at events where he is forced to 'put on a show', as a secret sign of unwilling participation.
- Aeythyr's eyes mostly bear the golden glow of the Light, but occasionally flicker with a green glint of Fel, a hint that he is still weaning himself from an addiction to Fel from his years in Outland.
External Links
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/character/us/wyrmrest-accord/aeythyr